Game System

ABSTRACT

The body  12  of a race game machine  10  has a integrated display  14  which outputs game images common among the players, and the images display states of races of racehorses. In front of the body  12 , a plurality of satellites  20  which are respectively used by the players are provided. Each satellite  20  has a table  22  and a chair  24  integrated with each other. In the table  22 , a liquid crystal display  26  which outputs game images, and a charge and discharge opening  28  for inserting medals and discharging medals corresponding to distributions and prizes are provided. When a plurality of race objects, such as horses and jockeys are combined and registered in a race game, runs and ride of horses and jockey of other players can be requested. The amusement of combining a plurality of race objects, such as horses and jockeys, to play games can be given to players.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a game system in which play valuescorresponding to progresses of a game are paid.

BACKGROUND ART

Of the large game systems installed in game centers, etc. is known ahorse race game system in which a miniature horserace course ispositioned at the center, and in this course, miniature racehorses votedby respective players actually run. There is also a horse race gamesystem using the recent developed computer graphics, in which, in placeof the miniature racehorse course, race contents are outputted anddisplayed on the large monitor screen.

These horse race game systems, which give the players the amusement ofanticipating and voting winning horses based on given information, andfurthermore, recently enable players as racehorse owners to train andparticipate the players' own racehorses in races to earn in prizemoneys, are becoming more popular.

Patent Reference 1: Specification of Japanese Patent ApplicationUnexamined Publication No. 2000-288246

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, in the above-described horse race game systems, a jockey whorides a racehorse is decided merely one-sidedly by the system, or merelyselected by a player out of jockeys registered in advance.

An object of the present invention is to provide a game system which canamuse the players with combining a plurality of race objects, such asracehorses and jockeys to play the game.

Means for Solving the Problems

The game system according to one aspect of the present invention ischaracterized in that information is exchangeable between a main deviceand a plurality of satellite devices, and a plurality of race objectseach combining a first race object and a second race object areparticipated and compete in a race, the main device comprising: acontrol means which executes race game processing for, before a race,deciding a plurality of race objects each combining a first race objectand a second race object to compete places among a plurality of raceobjects, and pay processing for paying game values, based on a result ofthe race, the satellite devices each comprising: a control means whichexecutes processing for, based on an operational signal from anoperation means operated by a player, deciding a second race object theplayer permits to participate in the race, and transmitting to the maindevice the information of the decided second race object, the controlmeans of the main device executing: the race game processing forincluding a race object combining a second race object decided based onthe information of the second race object transmitted from the satellitedevice and a first race object selected from said a plurality of firstobjects among a plurality of race objects to compete for places amongsaid plurality of race objects; and the pay processing for, as a resultof the race, when said race object included among said plurality of raceobjects wins, paying a part of a game value to be paid to said raceobject for the win to the second race object of said race object.

The game system according to one aspect of the present invention ischaracterized in that information is exchangeable between a main deviceand a plurality of satellite devices, the main device comprising: afirst race object database storing first identification information offirst race objects, and their corresponding ability parameters; a secondrace object database storing second identification information of secondrace objects, and their corresponding ability parameters; raceparticipation registration database for registering for each race acombination of the first identification information of a first raceobject to be participated in the race and the second identificationinformation of a second race object; a race participation registrationcontrol means for, before a race, selecting the first identificationinformation from the first race object database, selecting the secondidentification information from the second race object database todecide a combination of the first race object and the second raceobject, and registering the combination in the race participationregistration database; a race game control means for, each race,executing a race game processing for deciding places in the race anddevelopments of the race by using the ability parameters correspondingto the first identification information and the ability parameterscorresponding to the second identification information of thecombination registered in the race participation registration database;and pay processing control means for executing a pay processing forpaying a play value based on a race result, and the satellite deviceeach comprising a satellite control means for executing the processingfor, based on an operational signal from an operational means operatedby a player, deciding the second identification information of a secondrace object which is to be selected by the control of the raceparticipation registration control means to be registered in the raceparticipation registration database, and the processing for transmittinga permission information of permitting the second race object of thedecided second identification information to be registered in the raceparticipation registration database, and the second identificationinformation, to the main device, the main device further comprising asecond race object registration control means for registering thepermission information of permitting the second race object of thedecided second identification information to be registered in the raceparticipation registration database in the second race object database,corresponding to the second identification information transmitted fromthe satellite, the race participation registration control meansselecting the second identification information combined with the firstidentification information selected from the first race object database,among the second identification information having said permissioninformation registered in the second race object database, andregistering a plurality of combinations including said combination inthe race participation registration database, and the pay processingcontrol means, when said combination including the second identificationinformation registered having said permission information registeredwins as a result of the race game processing by the race game controlmeans, deciding a distribution play value of a play value to be paid tothe combination, said distribution being to be paid to the secondidentification information having said permission informationregistered.

The game system according to one aspect of the present invention ischaracterized in that information is exchangeable between a main deviceand a plurality of satellite devices, the main device comprising: afirst race object database storing first identification information offirst race objects, and their corresponding ability parameters; a secondrace object database storing second identification information of secondrace objects, and their corresponding ability parameters; raceparticipation registration database for registering for each race acombination of the first identification information of a first raceobject to be participated in the race and the second identificationinformation of a second race object; a race participation registrationcontrol means for, before a race, selecting the first identificationinformation from the first race object database, selecting the secondidentification information from the second race object database todecide a combination of the first race object and the second raceobject, and registering the combination in the race participationregistration database; a race game control means for, each race,executing a race game processing for deciding places in the race anddevelopments of the race by using the ability parameters correspondingto the first identification information and the ability parameterscorresponding to the second identification information of thecombination registered in the race participation registration database;and pay processing control means for executing a pay processing forpaying a play value based on a race result, and the satellite deviceeach comprising a satellite control means for executing the processingfor, based on an operational signal from an operational means operatedby a player, deciding the second identification information of a secondrace object which is to be selected by the control of the raceparticipation registration control means to be registered in the raceparticipation registration database, and the processing for transmittinga permission information of permitting the second race object of thedecided second identification information to be registered in the raceparticipation registration database, and the second identificationinformation, to the main device, the main device further comprising asecond race object registration control means for registering thepermission information of permitting the second race object of thedecided second identification information to be registered in the raceparticipation registration database in the second race object database,corresponding to the second identification information transmitted fromthe satellite, the race participation registration control meansselecting the second identification information combined with the firstidentification information selected from the first race object database,among the second identification information having said permissioninformation registered in the second race object database, andregistering a plurality of combinations including said combination inthe race participation registration database, the pay processing controlmeans, when said combination including the second identificationinformation registered having said permission information registeredwins as a result of the race game processing by the race game controlmeans, deciding a distribution play value of a play value to be paid tothe combination, said distribution being to be paid to the secondidentification information having said permission informationregistered, and the second race object registration control meansregistering the distribution play value decided by the pay processingcontrol means in the second race object database, corresponding to thesecond identification information having said permission informationregistered.

In the above-described game system, it is possible that the satellitecontrol means executes the processing for, based on an operationalsignal from the operation means operated by a player, deciding secondidentification information of the second race object to be selected bythe control of the race participation registration control means to beregistered in the race participation registration database, and theprocessing for transmitting an in-absence permission information and thesecond identification information to the main device, said in-absencepermission information indicating that the second race object of thesecond identification information decided by the player may beregistered in the race participation registration database even in theabsence of the player, the second race object registration control meansregistering the in-absence permission information in the second raceobject database, corresponding to the second identification informationtransmitted from the satellite device.

In the above-described game system, it is possible that the main devicefurther executes the processing for detecting whether or not the playerwho has transmitted the in-absence permission information is logging in,when it is detected that the player is logging in, the pay processingcontrol means executes the processing for paying a decided distributionplay value to the second race object of the second identificationinformation having the in-absence permission information registered, andwhen it is detected that the payer is not logging in, the second raceobject registration control means registers the distribution play valuedecided by the pay processing control means in the second race objectdatabase, corresponding to the second identification information havingthe in-absence permission information registered.

In the above-described game system, it is possible that when acombination including second identification information including thepermission information or the in-absence permission information wins asa result of the race game processing by the race game control means, themain device renews the ability parameters corresponding to the secondidentification information of the second race object database toimproved values, and when the combination including the secondidentification information including the permission information or thein-absence permission information does not win as a result of the racegame processing by the race game control means, the main device renewsthe ability parameters corresponding to the second identificationinformation of the second race object database to lowered values.

In the above-described game system, it is possible that the satellitecontrol means transmits to the main device, permission conditioninformation of conditions for the permission together with the secondidentification information and the permission information or thein-absence permission information, which permits the registration in therace participation database, and the race participation registrationcontrol means selects, when second identification information to becombined with first identification information selected from the firstrace object database, selects the second identification information,based on the permission condition information.

The game system according to one aspect of the present invention ischaracterized in that information is exchanged between a server deviceand a plurality of client devices via a network, and a race game is madeamong a plurality of combinations of a first race object and a secondrace object, the server device comprises a control means which executesthe race game processing for, before a race, deciding a plurality ofcombinations each of the first race object and the second race object,and racing for places, and the pay processing for paying play values,based on a result of the race, the client device each comprising acontrol means which execute the processing for, based on an operationsignal from an operation means operated by an operator, deciding asecond race object which the operator permits to participate in the raceand transmitting to the server device information of the decided secondrace object, the control means of the server device executes the racegame processing for racing a combination of a second race object decidedbased on the information of the second race object transmitted from theclient device and a first race object selected from a plurality of firstrace objects among a plurality of combinations for places, and the payprocessing for paying, when said combination raced among said aplurality of the combinations wins as a result of the race, paying apart of a play value to be paid for the win to the second race object.

The game system according to one aspect of the present invention ischaracterized in that information is exchangeable between a serverdevice and a plurality of client devices, the server device comprising:a first race object database storing first identification information offirst race objects, and their corresponding ability parameters; a secondrace object database storing second identification information of secondrace objects, and their corresponding ability parameters; raceparticipation registration database for registering for each race acombination of the first identification information of a first raceobject to be participated in the race and the second identificationinformation of a second race object; a race participation registrationcontrol means for, before a race, selecting the first identificationinformation from the first race object database, selecting the secondidentification information from the second race object database todecide a combination of the first race object and the second raceobject, and registering the combination in the race participationregistration database; a race game control means for, each race,executing a race game processing for deciding places in the race anddevelopments of the race by using the ability parameters correspondingto the first identification information and the ability parameterscorresponding to the second identification information of thecombination registered in the race participation registration database;and pay processing control means for executing a pay processing forpaying a play value based on a race result, and the client device eachcomprising a satellite control means for executing the processing for,based on an operational signal from an operational means operated by aplayer, deciding the second identification information of a second raceobject which is to be selected by the control of the race participationregistration control means to be registered in the race participationregistration database, and the processing for transmitting a permissioninformation of permitting the second race object of the decided secondidentification information to be registered in the race participationregistration database, and the second identification information, to theserver device, the server device further comprising a second race objectregistration control means for registering the permission information ofpermitting the second race object of the decided second identificationinformation to be registered in the race participation registrationdatabase in the second race object database, corresponding to the secondidentification information transmitted from the satellite, the raceparticipation registration control means selecting the secondidentification information combined with the first identificationinformation selected from the first race object database, among thesecond identification information having said permission informationregistered in the second race object database, and registering aplurality of combinations including said combination in the raceparticipation registration database, and the pay processing controlmeans, when said combination including the second identificationinformation registered having said permission information registeredwins as a result of the race game processing by the race game controlmeans, deciding a distribution play value of a play value to be paid tothe combination, said distribution being to be paid to the secondidentification information having said permission informationregistered.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

In the game system according to the present invention, information isexchangeable between a main device and a plurality of satellite devices,and a plurality of race objects each combining a first race object and asecond race object are participated and compete in a race, the maindevice comprising: a control means which executes race game processingfor, before a race, deciding a plurality of race objects each combininga first race object and a second race object to compete places among aplurality of race objects, and pay processing for paying game values,based on a result of the race, the satellite devices each comprising: acontrol means which executes processing for, based on an operationalsignal from an operation means operated by a player, deciding a secondrace object the player permits to participate in the race, andtransmitting to the main device the information of the decided secondrace object, the control means of the main device executing: the racegame processing for including a race object combining a second raceobject decided based on the information of the second race objecttransmitted from the satellite device and a first race object selectedfrom said a plurality of first objects among a plurality of race objectsto compete for places among said plurality of race objects; and the payprocessing for, as a result of the race, when said race object includedamong said plurality of race objects wins, paying a part of a game valueto be paid to said race object for the win to the second race object ofsaid race object, whereby the game system can amuse the players withcombining a plurality of race objects, such as racehorses and jockeys toplay the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the appearance of the race game device ofthe game system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the constitution of the game systemaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the constitution of the main cabinet ofthe game system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the constitution of the satellite cabinetof the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the standard constitutions of the main PC,the video PC, the sound PC, the satellite PC and various servers used inthe game systems according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart summarizing the game of the game system accordingto the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the data structure of the IC card of thegame system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the data structure of the horse databaseof the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the data structure of the jockey databaseof the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the data structure of the race run tableof the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the data structure of the satellitecorrespondence table of the game system according to the embodiment ofthe preset invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the new card preparation processing of thegame system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of the jockey request acceptance settingprocessing of the game system according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart (Part 1) of the race run registration processingof the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart (Part 2) of the race run registration processingof the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of the race processing of the game systemaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating the jockey request acceptance OK image ofthe game system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating the jockey request condition settingimage of the game system according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating the in-absence jockey request acceptanceOK image of the game system according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 is a view illustrating the run race selection image of the gamesystem according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a view illustrating the ride jockey selection image (Part 1)of the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating the ride jockey selection image (Part 2)of the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a view of jockey request acceptance medal pay image of thegame system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a view illustrating the in-absence obtained medal pay imageof the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   10 . . . race game machine-   12 . . . main body-   14 . . . integrated display-   14A, 14B, 14C . . . displays-   16A, 16B, 16C, 16D . . . speaker towers-   20 . . . satellite-   22 . . . table-   24 . . . chair-   26 . . . liquid crystal display-   27 . . . touch panel-   28 . . . medal slot-   30 . . . main cabinet (main device)-   32 . . . main PC-   34 . . . LCD-   36 . . . pointing device-   38A, 38B, 38C . . . video PC-   40 . . . sound PC-   42 . . . amplifier-   44A, 44B, 44C, 44D . . . speakers-   46 . . . center speaker-   48 . . . woofer speaker-   50 . . . IO board-   52 . . . LED-   54 . . . cold cathode-   56 . . . halogen-   58A, 58B, 58C, 58D . . . lightings-   60 . . . satellite cabinet (satellite device)-   62 . . . satellite PC-   64 . . . image unit-   66 . . . amplifier-   67 . . . speaker-   68 . . . sound unit-   70 . . . cold cathode-   74 . . . fluorescent lamp-   76 . . . LCD-side winner lamp-   78 . . . casing-side winner lamp-   79 . . . lightings-   80 . . . IC card unit-   82 . . . IC card reader/writer-   84 . . . card lock mechanism-   86 . . . once charge unit-   88 . . . hopper-   86A . . . letting-out mechanism-   86B . . . selector-   90 . . . server-   92 . . . database server-   94 . . . ranking server-   96 . . . web server-   98 . . . mobile phone server-   100 . . . PC-   102 . . . game board-   104 . . . video card-   106 . . . sound card-   108 . . . ROM-   110 . . . DVD-ROM-   112 . . . data storage-   114 . . . PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) I/O card-   116 . . . . Base BD (All-net)-   118 . . . electric power source-   120 . . . case-   122 . . . mother board-   124 . . . CPU-   126 . . . memory-   128 . . . HDD, silicon disc or CF-   130 . . . OS (Operation System)-   132 . . . application-   134 . . . silicon disc or CF-   136 . . . backup data

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An Embodiment

The game system according to one embodiment of the present inventionwill be explained with reference to the drawings.

The game system according to the present embodiment includes: a bet racegame (bet game) in which a player anticipates a place of a racehorse ina race of racehorses which are running objects whose runs are controlledby the control unit, bets medals and receives an allotment based on aresult of the race; and a training game (stable game) in which theplayer owns racehorses and jockeys to be participated in races andtrains them to compete for the races and obtains medals as horse ownerprizes corresponding to places of the racehorses.

(Summary of the Game System)

The appearance of the race game machine of the game system according tothe present embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the body 12 of the race game machine 10 of thepresent embodiment includes a integrated display 14 which outputs commongame images to players to display images of race states of racehorses.The integrated display 14 includes 3 displays 14A, 14B, 14C.

In front of the body 12, a plurality of satellites 20 which are used byrespective players are disposed. On both sides of the integrated display14 and on both sides of the part at the rear of the plural satellites20, 4 speaker towers 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D which are sound output means foroutputting sounds of the game are provided.

Each satellite includes a table 22 and a chair 24 integrated with eachother. The table 22 includes a liquid crystal display 26 which is adisplay means for outputting game images of the bet race game (bet game)and the training game (stable game), and a medal slot 28 for chargingmedals and discharging medals corresponding to an allotment or a prizemoney.

A touch panel 27 as the operation means is provided on the liquidcrystal display 26, and each player touches the touch panel 27 with thefingers to operate the game. For example, as the game advances, commandkeys are suitably displayed on the liquid crystal display 26, and theplayer directly touches the touch panel 27 on the command keys with thefingers, whereby various kinds of command signals are inputted into thegame control circuit.

The constitution of the game system according to the present embodimentwill be explained with reference to FIG. 2.

The race game machine 10 comprises a main cabinet 30 which generallycontrols the race game machine 10, and a satellite cabinet 60 whichcontrols the respective satellites 20. The main cabinet 30 and aplurality of satellite cabinets 60 are connected to each other by anetwork.

The same race game machines 10 are installed in game centers, etc. allover Japan, and the respective race game machines 10 are connected to aninternet.

The game system further comprises a server 90 for the control, etc. ofgame data transmitted from the race game machines 10 installed all overJapan. The server 90 is connected to the internet

The server 90 includes a database server 92 which stores and controlsgame data transmitted from the race game machines 10 installed all overJapan, a ranking server 94 which makes the statistic processing ofvarious kinds of ranking, etc., a web server 96 for the connection withthe personal computers installed at homes, etc., and a mobile phoneserver 98 for the connection with the portable information terminals,such mobile phones, PHSs, etc.

In the game system according to the present embodiment, the main cabinet(main device) and a plurality of satellite cabinets (satellite devices)can exchange information therebetween. However, the game system may haveother constitutions. For example, in place of the main cabinet (maindevice), a server device is used, and in place of the plurality ofsatellite devices, client devices, such as home video game machines,arcade video game machines, PCs, PDAs, mobile phones, PHSs, etc., areused, whereby information is received and transmitted between the serverdevice and the plurality of client devices.

(Constitution of Main Cabinet (Main Device))

The constitution of the main cabinet (main device) of the presentembodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 3.

The main cabinet 30 includes a main PC 32 which is a control means forgenerally controlling the main cabinet 30. The main PC 32 is connectedto an LCD 34 which is a display means and a pointing device 36 which isan operation means.

The main PC 32 is LAN connected to 3 video PCs 38A, 38B, 38C which areimage processing means, and a sound PC 40 which is a sound processingmeans.

The 3 displays 14A, 14B, 14C forming the integrated display 14, which isa display means, are respectively connected to the video PCs 38A, 38B,38C. The 3 displays 14A, 14B, 14C display on the integrated display 14 apowerful large image, as of a horse race, etc.

The sound PC 40 is connected to an amplifier 42. The amplifier 42 isconnected to speakers 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D provided in the speaker towers16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, a center speaker 46 and a woofer speaker 48. Thespeakers 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D, the center speaker 46 and the wooferspeaker 48 make more powerful large sounds.

An IO board 50 is connected to the main PC 32. The IO board 50 isconnected to various lightings, such as an LED 52, a cold cathode 54, ahalogen 56, etc., as effect means, and lightings 58A, 58B, 58C, 58Dprovided respectively in the speaker towers 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D. Thevarious lightings, such as the LED 52, the cold cathode 54, the halogen56, etc., the lightings 58A, 58B, 58C, 58D provided in the speakertowers 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D realize impressive illumination.

(Constitution of Satellite Cabinets (Satellite Devices))

The constitution of the satellite cabinets (satellite devices) of thepresent embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 4.

Each satellite cabinet 60 includes a satellite PC 62 which is a controlmeans for generally controlling the satellite cabinet 60. The satellitePC 62 includes an image unit 64 having the LCD 26 and the touch panel 27which are operated by a player.

The satellite PC 62 includes a sound unit 68 having an amplifier 66 anda speaker 67.

An IO board 70 is connected to the satellite PC 62. The IO board 70 isconnected to various kinds of lightings 79, such as a cold cathode 72, afluorescent lamp 74, an LCD-side winner lamp 76, a casing-side winnerlamp 78, etc., as effect means. The informing means of the LCD-sidewinner lamp 76 and the casing-side winner lamp 78 inform that the playeroperating the satellite cabinet 60 wins the horse race game, etc.

The satellite PC 62 includes a IC card unit 80. The IC card unit 80includes an IC card reader 82 (information reading means and informationwriting means) for reading and writing information inn/from an IC cardwhich is an information storage medium, and a card lock mechanism 84which locks the inserted IC card. A player inserts an IC card into theIC card unit 80 to thereby log on the horse race game.

The satellite PC 62 includes a once charging unit 86 for charging medalsand a hopper 88 which a discharge mechanism for discharging medals. Theonce charge unit 86 includes a letting-out mechanism 86A and a selector86B.

(Constitutions of Main PC, Video PC, Sound PC, Satellite PC and VariousServers)

The standard constitutions of the main PC, the video PC, the sound PC,the satellite PC and the various servers (database server, rankingserver, web server, mobile phone server, etc) will be explained withreference to FIG. 5.

The PC 100 of the standard constitution includes a game board 102 forthe general control, a video card 104 which displays images, a soundcard 106 which outputs sounds, a ROM 108, a DVD-ROM 110, a data storage112, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) I/O card 114, a base BD(All-net) 116, an electric power source 118 and a case 120.

The game board 102 includes a mother board 122, a CPU 124 and a memory126.

The ROM 108 which is a storage means comprises an HDD or a silicon discor a CF 128; an OS (Operation System) 130; and an application 132.

The data storage 112 which is a storage means includes a silicon disc ora CF 134; and a backup data 136.

The main PC, the video PC, the sound PC, the satellite PC and thevarious servers suitably include necessary ones selected out of thisstandard constitutions with unnecessary ones omitted.

For example, the sound card 106 is used in the sound PC. The DVD-ROM110, the data storage 112 (a silicon disc or the CF 134), the backupdata 136), the Base BD (All-net) 116 are used in the various servers.

(Summary of the Game)

The game of the game system according to the present embodiment will besummarized with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 6.

In the game system according to the present embodiment, the bet gamewhich is a race game wherein places of racehorses in a race areanticipated, and medals are bet on the racehorses to receivedistributions, based on a result of the race (Step S10), and the stablegame which is a training game wherein a player owns racehorses andjockeys to be participated in races to participate them in a race andwins medals as horse owner prize corresponding to a place (Step S20) areplayed. The bet game (Step S10) and the stable game (Step S20) can besuitably switched by the operation of the player.

For the details of the bet game (Step S10), refer to the specificationof Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 2003-93744.

The stable game (Step S20) includes a horse owner game in which a playerowns and trains a racehorse to participate them in a race and obtainsmedals as a horse owner prize corresponding to a place of the racehorse(Step S30), and a jockey game in which the player owns and trains ajockey to participate the jockey in a race to thereby obtain medals as ajockey prize corresponding to a place of the jockey (Step S40).

In the stable game (Step S20), first, a player prepares his own stable(Step S21). The stable is virtually made and is a place where theracehorse is trained and managed. The jockey belongs to the stable. Inthe game of the present embodiment, the information of 1 stable isprepared in each IC card. The information of 1 stable can cover 4racehorses and 2 jockeys at maximum.

In the horse owner game (Step S30), first, it is judged whether or notthe player owns a racehorse, i.e., the information of the racehorse isregistered in the inserted IC card (Step S31). When no racehorseinformation is registered, the information of a racehorse as a new horseis prepared (Step S32). When the information of a racehorse is preparedas a new horse even with the information of a racehorse already preparedin an IC card, the new horse is produced in Step S32.

The produced new horse enters the stable (Step S33). Accordingly, theinformation of the stable is related to the information of theracehorse. In the horse owner game, various games can be made with theracehorses which have entered the stable.

Medals are inserted to thereby run the racehorse in the race course(Step S34). The racehorse wins a higher place, whereby the player canobtain medals as a prize.

Medals are inserted to thereby train the racehorses in many ways (StepS35). Medals are inserted to thereby feed the racehorse with variousfeeds (Step S36).

After the new horse is produced, a period of tame time in which racesare held prescribed times passes, and the racehorse retires (Step S37).When the racehorse retires, a new horse of the next generation havingthe heredity transmitted can be produced (Step S32).

In the jockey game (Step S40), first, it is judged whether or not abelonging jockey is present, i.e., the information of a jockey isregistered in the inserted IC card (Step S41). When no jockeyinformation is registered, the information of a new jockey is prepared(Step S42). When the information of a new jockey is prepared even withthe jockey information registered in the IC card, the jockey is preparedin Step S32.

The prepared jockey belongs to the player stable (Step S43).Accordingly, the information of the jockey is related to the informationof the stable. In the jockey game, various games can be played with thebelonging jockeys.

A jockey can be ridden on a race horse which will run in a horseracecourse at a request of a stable, such as the player's own stable,another player's stable, the computer stable or others (Step S45). Whena ride request is made, the insertion of medals may be demanded as aride request fee. When the racehorse the jockey has ridden wins an upperplace, the jockey can obtain medals as a prize.

Medals are inserted to thereby train the jockeys in various ways (StepS46).

When the jockey rides prescribed times after the jockey was prepared,the jockey retires (Step S47). When the jockey retires, a jockey of thenext generation having the heredity transmitted can be prepared (StepS32).

(Constitution of Game Data)

The game data and the databases of the game system according to thepresent embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11.

(IC Card)

The data structure of the IC card is illustrated in FIG. 7.

In the IC card, as card information, a card ID and a code number arerecorded as card information; and as stable information, theidentification information of a stable, a total obtained prize of aracehorse belonging to the stable, a total obtained prize of a jockeybelonging to the stable, etc. are recorded. One ID card can recordinformation of a plurality of racehorses and the information of aplurality of jockeys.

As the racehorse information, the identification information of a horse;ability information used in races, such as the horse age, legcharacteristics (oonige (lead long distance and goal), nige (lead andgoal), senko (run immediately after leading horse and pass to goal),sashi (run middle in a group and pass to goal), oikomi (run after agroup and pass to goal), etc.; the father horse name, the mother horsename, the generation number, the total achievement, the previous raceachievements (race names, places, jockey names, horse weights, etc.),the obtained prize number, the horse weight, the remaining week number,etc. are recorded. The racehorse information also includes parametersused in the race processing, such as the experience value, the fatiguedegree, the spirits value, the condition value, the course stability,etc.

The jockey information includes the identification information of ajockey; the ability information of the jockey, such as the tactics(oonige (lead long distance and goal), nige (lead and goal), senko (runimmediately after leading horse and pass to goal), sashi (run middle ina group and pass to goal), oikomi (run after a group and pass to goal),etc. used in horse races; the information of the generation number, thetotal achievement, the previous race achievement (race names, places,horse names, pound amount, etc.), the obtained prize number, etc. usedin the race processing.

(Game Data of Main Cabinet)

The various game data of the main cabinet 30 will be explained.

The various game data necessary to execute the game are stored in thememory 126 which is the storage means of the game board 102 of the mainPC 32 of the main cabinet 30. For example, the horse database which is acollection of data of racehorses, the jockey database which is acollection of data of jockeys, a race run table which is a collection ofdata of racehorses, jockeys, etc. to run in a race, and a satellitecorrespondence table which is a collection of the satellites andplayers.

(Horse Database)

The data structure of the horse database is illustrated in FIG. 8.

In the horse database, the information of horses (hereinafter called“user horse”) users (players) using the game system own and theinformation of horses (hereinafter called “CPU horse” stored in thememory means by the game system are collected. To realize amusing races,a number of CPU horses are always prepared.

In the user horses, the card IDs of the users owning the horses, thehorse IDs identifying the respective horses, the horse data, which isthe racehorse information described above, run flags which indicatewhether or not the horses will run in a race, the race ID of a racehorses run, the stable IDs the horses belong to, etc. are collected.

In the CPU horses as well, the same information as in the user horsesare collected, but part of the information, such as the card IDs ofusers, etc., is not recorded.

(Jockey Database)

The data structure of the jockey database is illustrated in FIG. 9.

In the jockey database, the information of jockeys (hereinafter called“user jockey”) users (players) using the game system own and theinformation of jockeys (hereinafter called “CPU jockey”) stored in thememory means the game system stored in advance are collected. To realizeamusing races, a number of CPU jockeys are always prepared.

In the user jockeys, the card IDs of users who own the jockeys, thejockey IDs identifying the respective jockeys, the jockey data which isthe jockey information described above, run flags which indicate whetheror not the jockeys will ride in a race, the race ID of a race for thejockeys ride in, the stable IDs of stables the jockeys belong to, OKflags indicating whether or not to accept ride requests of other users,in-absence request acceptance OK flags indicating whether or not toaccept ride requests of other users made even in the absence of a user,login flags indicating whether or not the users owing the jockeys arepresently participating, an in-absence obtained medal numbers, etc. arecollected.

Also in the CPU jockeys, the same information as the user jockeys iscollected, but the card IDs, the stable IDs, the request OK flags, thein-absence request acceptance OK flags, the login flags, the in-absenceobtained medal numbers, etc., are not recorded.

(Race Run Table)

The data structure of the race run table is illustrated in FIG. 10.

In the race run table, horses to run races and jockeys to ride thehorses respectively in the next race, a next but one race and the nextbut two races are collected. The horses to run the races include thehorses of the users and the CPU horses. The jockeys to ride the horsesinclude the jockeys of the user and CPU jockeys.

For each race run horse, the horse ID of the run horse, the horse ownersatellite ID which indicates a satellite used by the user owning thehorse, the jockey ID riding the horse, the jockey owner satellite IDwhich indicates a satellite used by the user owning the jockey, theabsent jockey owner card ID which indicates the user owning the jockeywhen the user is absent.

When a horse to run a race is a CPU horse, the column of the horseowning satellite ID is blank. When the jockey riding the horse is a CPUjockey, the columns of the jockey owning satellite ID and the absentjockey owning card ID are blank.

The race run table has columns for, e.g., 14 horses. Fourteen horses atmaximum can run. A number of horses which are permitted to run may bedecided depending on a kind of race.

For each race, it is decided in advance that the game system runs, e.g.,8 horses (CPU horses) and the jockeys (CPU jockeys) for the 8 horses.When users (players) register run horses and jockeys to ride the horses,the horses and the jockeys are sequentially added to the race run table.When the registrations by the users are increased and exceed a maximumrun horse number, the CPU horses are correspondingly decreased. For eachrace, the registrations by the users are set at, e.g., 10 horses atmaximum. Even in a race where 14 horses at maximum run, combinations ofat least 4 CPU horses and CPU jockeys can be made.

The jockeys to be combined with the CPU horses can be not only CPUjockeys but also user jockeys.

(Satellite Correspondence Table)

The data structure of the satellite correspondence table is illustratedin FIG. 11.

The satellite correspondence table stores real-time information of usersusing the respective satellites. For each of 10 satellites, thesatellite ID, the card ID of the user who is presently using thesatellite, and the card insertion detection flag (user absence flag)which indicates whether or not the card is presently inserted arestored.

Thus, whether or not users are using the satellites are present, and thecard IDs being used can be known in real-time.

(Game Data of Satellite Cabinet)

Various game data of the satellite cabinets 60 will be explained.

In the memory 126 of the game board 102 of the satellite PC 62 of thedatabase server 92, various game data necessary to execute the game arestored. For example, the data of racehorses, the data of jockeys, etc.associated with each satellite are stored.

(Game Data of Database Server)

Various game data of the database server 92 will be explained.

In the HDD, the silicon disc or the CF 128 of the PC 100 of the databaseserver 92, the data stored in the race game machines 10 installednationwide are collected and stored. For example, store IDs, the gamemachine IDs of the race game machines installed in the stores, variousgame data stored in the main cabinets 30 of the race game machines 10,the card IDs and all the card data of used IC cards, etc. are collectedand stored.

(Details of the Game Processing)

Various game processing of the game system according to the presentembodiment will be detailed with reference to FIGS. 12 to 25.

In the flow charts of FIGS. 12 to 16, the processing flow of the main PC32 is illustrated at the center; the processing flows of the satellitePCs 62 of 3 satellite cabinets 60 are illustrated on the right side; andon the left side, the horse database, the jockey database, the race runtable and the satellite correspondence table stored in the memory 126 ofthe game board 102 of the main PC 32 are illustrated, and therelationships of the receipt and transmission, etc. of signals and databetween them are indicated by the arrows.

FIGS. 17 to 25 are examples of images of the steps of the flow charts ofFIGS. 12 to 16. The steps having image examples are indicated to thiseffect.

In the description of this game processing, for easy understanding, theoperation between the main cabinet 30 and 3 satellite cabinets 60, of 1race game machine is explained, but even when more satellite cabinets 60are used, the same operation is made. Furthermore, when the game systemincludes a plurality of the race game machines interconnected via LANand the internet, the basic operation is the same.

(New Card Preparing Processing)

The new card preparing processing for a player preparing a new card willbe explained with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 12.

When a player logs in the satellite cabinet (A) 60 with an IC card hebought anew, the satellite PC (A) 62 of the satellite cabinet (A) 60starts the login processing (Step A001).

First, the CPU 124, which is the control means of the satellite PC(A)62,detects based on a detection signal from the card detecting meanswhether or not an IC card has been inserted (Step A002). When theinsertion of the IC card is detected, the CPU 124 of the satellite PC(A) 62 transmits the card ID read from the IC card and the satellite IDto the main PC 32 (Step A003).

The CPU 124, which is the control means of the main PC 32, receives thesatellite ID and the card ID transmitted from the CPU 124 of thesatellite PC (A) 62 (Step M001) and stores in the satellitecorrespondence table, the satellite ID and the card ID associated witheach other and turns off the absence flag.

Then, the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 detects the variousoperational inputs by the player and produces the stable data of thestable ID, the stable name, etc (Step A004).

Then, the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 detects the variousoperational inputs by the player and produces the horse data of thehorse ID of a new horse, the horse name, etc (Step A005). Subsequently,the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 detects the various operationalinputs by the player and produces the horse data of the abilityparameters, etc. by, e.g., training the new horse (Step A006). Fourhorses at maximum can be produced.

Then, the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 detects the variousoperational inputs by the player and produces the jockey data of thejockey ID of a new jockey, the jockey name, etc. (Step A007).Subsequently, the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 detects the variousoperational inputs by the player and trains the jockey data of theability parameters, etc. by, e.g., training the new jockey (Step A008).

FIG. 17 is one example of the images of training the jockey in StepA008. In the jockey training of FIG. 17, “running”, “weight training”,“training ride”, “video studies” are prepared. The player inserts anumber of medals necessary for the training, selects one of thetrainings and commands a strength to make the training. The trainingimproves the parameters of the jockey, which is reflected on the raceresult.

A training image showing a state of the training is displayed uppermiddle of the training image. When the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A)62 detects a touch of the player to a part of the touch panel 27corresponding to the left-directed arrow or the right-directed arrow,the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 changes a kind of the training.

When the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 detects a touch of theplayer to a button displayed below the training image, the CPU 124 ofthe satellite PC (A) 62 changes the strength and amount of the training.

Short-cut bars for directly commanding a training kind are displayedbelow the training image. When the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62detects a touch of the player to one of the short-cut bars, the CPU 124of the satellite PC (A)62 executes the corresponding kind of thetraining.

The flow chart of FIG. 12 follows, and the stable data is produced (StepA004), the horse data is produced (Step A005), the horse data is trained(Step A006), the jockey data is produced (Step A007), and the jockeydata is trained (Step A008). Then, the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A)62 transmits these data to the main PC 32 (Step A009).

The CPU 124 of the main PC 32 receives the data transmitted from the CPU124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 before the race processing is started(Step M002) and records these data in the horse database and the jockeydatabase. In the horse database, the card IDs, the horse IDs, the horsedata, the jockey data and the stable IDs of the produced horses arerecorded. In the jockey database, the card IDs, the jockey IDs, thejockey data and the stable IDs of the produced jockeys are recorded.

The CPU 124 of the main PC 32 associates the satellite IDs with the cardIDs (Step M003). Here, a card ID being detected is recorded in thesatellite ID of the satellite PC (A) 62, and the absence flag is turnedoff. The absence flags of the satellite IDs of the satellite PC (B) 62and the satellite PC (C) 62 are turned on.

Next, then, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 and the CPU 124 of thesatellite PC (A) 62 execute the race processing (Step M004, A010). Thedetails of the race processing are not explained here.

When the player finishes the game and logs off, the satellite PC (A) 62of the satellite cabinet (A) 60 starts the logoff processing (StepA011).

The CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 detects the input of the “gamefinish button” by the player (Step A012) and records in the IC card themost recent stable data, horse data and jockey data received from themain control unit (Step A013). When the recording in the IC cardfinishes, the CPU 24 of the satellite PC (A) 62 discharges the IC card(Step A04). Thus, the logoff processing is completed.

(Ride Request Acceptance Setting Processing)

The setting processing for setting whether or not a player accepts aride request from another player for a jockey the player owns will beexplained with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 13. Here in theexplanation of the setting processing, respective players have finishedthe processing for preparing new cards and again log in with theprepared IC cards.

Here, the player using the satellite PC (A) 62 makes the setting ofreceiving a ride request from another player but only when the playerlogs in. The player using the satellite PC (C) 62 makes the setting ofreceiving a ride request from another player even when the player isabsent, i.e., does not log in.

When the player logs in the satellite cabinet (A) 60 with the IC card healready owns, the satellite PC (A) 62 of the satellite cabinet (A) 60starts the login processing (Step A101).

First, the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 judges whether or not theIC card has been inserted (Step A102). When the insertion of the IC cardis detected, the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 transmits the storedcontents, such as the card ID, etc., read from the IC card, and the hisown satellite ID to the main PC 32 (Step A103).

The CPU 124 of the main PC 32 receives the satellite ID, and thecontents, such as the card ID, etc., transmitted from the CPU 124 of thesatellite PC (A) 62 (Step M101) and stores the satellite ID and the cardID corresponding to each other in the satellite correspondence table andturns off the absence flag.

Then, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 checks the properness of theinserted IC card (Step M102).

First, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 compares the horse data stored inthe IC card transmitted from the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 tothe contents of the horse database (Step M103). Similarly, the CPU 124of the main PC 32 compares the jockey data stored in the IC cardtransmitted from the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 to the contentsof the jockey database (Step M104). Based on such comparison, it isjudged whether or not the inserted IC card is proper.

When the inserted IC card is judged proper, the CPU 124 of the main PC32 corresponds the satellite ID to the card ID (Step M003). The detectedcard ID is recorded in the satellite ID of the satellite PC (A) 62, andthe absent flag is turned off.

Then, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 reads from the horse database andthe jockey database the horse data and the jockey data belonging to thecard ID of the inserted IC card and transmits them to the satellite PC(A) 62 (Step M106), and the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 receivesthe transmitted data (Step A104).

On the other hand, when another player logs in the satellite cabinet (C)60 with an IC card he already has, the satellite PC (C) 62 of thesatellite cabinet (C) 60 starts the login processing (Step C101). Thedetails of the login processing which is the same as that of thesatellite cabinet (A) 60 will not be explained here.

Then, the race is executed by the satellite cabinet (A) 60 with theplayer logging in and the satellite cabinet (C) 60. The CPU 124 of themain PC 32, the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A)62 and the CPU 124 of thesatellite PC (C) 62 execute the race, referring to the horse database,the jockey database, the race run table, and the satellitecorrespondence table (Steps M107, A105 and C102). The details of therace processing will not be explained.

Then, the jockey ride request acceptance setting processing in thesatellite cabinet (A) 60 will be explained. When the CPU 124 of thesatellite PC (A) 62 detects an operational input of a player, the CPU124 of the satellite PC (A) 60 displays a jockey ride request acceptanceimage illustrated in FIG. 18. In the jockey ride request acceptanceimage, “accept” and “not accept” are displayed below the column “riderequests from other players”.

When the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 detects the touch of theplayer to the letter region “not accept”, the CPU 124 of the satellitePC (A) 62 keeps displaying the ride request acceptance image of FIG. 18.When the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 detects the touch of theplayer to the letter region “OK”, the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62turns off the request acceptance OK flag of the jockey of the jockeydatabase.

When the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 detects the touch of theplayer to the letter region “accept”, the jockey ride request acceptanceimage of FIG. 19 and displays the various conditions for the requestacceptance. For accepting the ride request, the conditions of the grade(above GI, above GII, none), the ride horse win prize (above 10,000medals, above 5,000 medals, above 1,000 medals, none), the grade of theprevious race of the ride horse (above GI, above GII, none), the placein the previous race of the ride horse (1st place, up to 2nd place, upto 3rd place, none), and whether or not to accept a ride request afterthe game finishes can be set.

The game system side may limit maximum run times of the run of 1 jockeyat the ride request. The players may set the conditions of maximum times(once, twice, 3 times, 4 times, 5 times) of a player receiving a riderequest.

Setting the conditions for the ride request high makes the possibilityof obtaining win prizes high when a jockey rides but makes theopportunity of riding as a jockey low and makes it more possible that,when lost, the ability data as a jockey become low. In view of thesepossibilities, the players set the conditions.

When the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 detects a touch of theplayer to the letter region “accept” and detects his touches to theletter regions of “above GI”, “above 5,000”, “above GI”, “none” and “notaccept” of the respective set conditions (Step A106), the CPU 124 of thesatellite PC (A) 62 transmits the satellite ID, the jockey ID, therequest acceptance OK signal and the request acceptance conditionssignals to the main PC 32 (Step A107).

When the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 receives the signals from thesatellite PC (A) 62 (Step M108)), the CPU 124 of the main PC comparesthe satellite ID to the satellite correspondence table (Step M109),turns on the request acceptance OK flag of the jockey of the jockeydatabase and turns off the in-absence request acceptance OK flag, andrecords the respective detected set request acceptance conditions (StepM110).

The jockey ride request acceptance setting processing of the satellitecabinet (C) 60 with the player logging in will be explained.

The CPU 124 of the satellite PC (C) 62 detects an operational input of aplayer, first the jockey request acceptance image of FIG. 18 isdisplayed on the image unit (C)64 of the satellite cabinet (C) 60. Inthe jockey request acceptance image, “accept” and “not accept” aredisplayed below the column of “jockey requests from other players”.

When the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (C)52 detects a touch of the playerto the letter region of “accept”, the image of FIG. 20 is displayed todisplay the various conditions for accepting the request. As in thejockey request acceptance of the satellite cabinet (A) 60, theconditions of the grade for a race for which the jockey request is made,the conditions for the ride horse win prizes, the conditions of thegrade for the previous race of the ride horse, the conditions of theachievement of the previous race of the ride horse, and the conditionsfor setting whether or not a ride request is accepted after the gamefinishes can be set.

The game system side may limit maximum run times of the run of 1 jockeyat the ride request. The players may set the conditions of maximum times(once, twice, 3 times, 4 times, 5 times) of a player accepting a riderequest.

When the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (C) 62 detects a touch of theplayer to the letter regions “accept” and detects touches of the playerto “above GI”, “above 10,000 medals”, “above GI”, “above three times”and “accept” of the respective set conditions of the jockey requestacceptance image (Step C102), the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (C) 62transmits the satellite ID, the jockey ID, the in-absence requestacceptance OK signal and the request acceptance condition signal (StepA107).

When the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 receives the signals from thesatellite PC (C) 62 (Step M111), the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 comparesthe satellite ID to the satellite correspondence table (Step M112),turns on the request acceptance OK flag and the in-absence acceptance OKflag of the jockey of the jockey database, and records the respectiverecorded set request acceptance conditions (Step M113).

Then, when the player of the satellite cabinet (C) 60 makes theoperation for the logoff, the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (C)62 detectsthe logoff operation by the player and makes the logoff processing (StepC104). The most recent stable data, horse data and jockey data arerecorded in the IC card, the IC card is discharged, and then the logoffprocessing is finished.

The jockey request acceptance images may be different from thoseillustrated in FIGS. 18 and 20. For example, the image for selecting“accept” or “not accept” for a jockey ride request is not provided, butin place, it is possible that a “ride request condition button” isprovided, and when a touch of a player to the “ride request conditionbutton” is detected, a ride request condition setting image for settingthe above-described various conditions for accepting a ride requestacceptance is displayed.

(Race Run Registration Processing: Combinations of 1 User Horse andOther User Horses)

The race run registration processing in which when a player registershis own horse for a run, the player request jockeys owned by otherplayers to ride the horse will be explained with reference to the flowchars of FIGS. 14 and 15.

Here, the player using the satellite cabinet (B) 60 requests a jockeyowned by the player presently logging in the satellite cabinet (A) 60 toride and a jockey owned by the player who has before logged in thesatellite cabinet (C) 60 and set the in-absence ride request OK to ride.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, when the player logs in the satellite cabinet(B) 60 with the IC card, the satellite PC (B) 62 of the satellitecabinet (B) 60 starts the login processing (Step B201). The details ofthe login processing will not be explained.

The CPU 124 of the main PC 32 makes the processing for the race runregistration. First, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 records in the racerun table the race IDs for 3 races for which the run registration can bemade (Step M201).

Next, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 selects and registers CPU horses torun in the respective races, turns on the run flags of the CPU horses ofthe horse database and records the race IDs (Step M202).

Then, for each of the races, a CPU jockey who can run, a user jockey ofthe player presently logging in, for whom a ride request is OK and auser jockey whose owner does not presently login but for whom a riderequest is OK are listed up (Step M203). The user jockeys are listed upbased on the ride conditions set by the player.

On the other hand, the player logging in the satellite cabinet (B) 60displays a horse selection image (not illustrated) and touches the“horse selection button”. The CPU detects the operational input of the“horse selection button” by the player (Step B202) and decides the horseID of the horse to run (Step B204).

When the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (B) 62 detects the operationalinput of the run button by the payer (Step B204), the CPU 124 of thesatellite PC (B) 62 transmits the satellite ID, the horse ID and the runrequest signal to the main PC 32 (Step B205).

The CPU 124 of the main PC 32 receives the run request signal from thesatellite PC (B)62 (Step 204) and checks whether or not the runregistration is possible with reference to the contents of the horsedatabase, the race run table and the satellite correspondence table(Step M205).

Then when the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 judges that the run registrationis possible, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 transmits the information tothe effect that the run registration is possible to the satellitecabinet (B) 69 (Step M206).

The CPU 124 of the satellite PC (B) 62 receives the run OK informationfrom the main PC 32 (Step B206) and produces a race selection image(Step B207).

FIG. 21 illustrates one example of the run race selection image. In therun race selection image, for the next race (after 1 race), the next butone race (after 2 races) and the next but 2 race (after 3 races), racenames (Kyodo-tsushin-sha Cup, Silkroad S, Kyoto memorial, etc.), racegrades (GI, GII, etc.), race distances (1,000 m, 1,200 m, 2200 m, etc.)and medal numbers necessary for the registrations (10 medals, 20 medals,etc.) are displayed. Race selection buttons are displayed on the rightside of the contents display of the respective races. For the race(after 1 race) for which the run registration has been finished,“registration finished” is displayed, for the races (after 2 races,after 3 races) for which the run registration can be made, “runregistration” is displayed.

The CPU 124 of the satellite PC (B) 62 detects whether or not the playerhas touched the race selection button (Step B208) and decides the raceID of the run race (Step B209).

When the race ID is decided, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 registers therun horse ID in the column of the run horse corresponding to the horseID of the race run table. When 14 horses have been registered in therace run table for the race, one of the CPU horses is deleted and, inplace of the deleted CPU horse, the user horse is registered.

Next, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 lists up all jockeys who can ridethe horses whose runs have been decided (Step B207). CPU jockeys anduser jockeys for whom ride requests are OK are listed up. The userjockeys are listed up in consideration of the ride conditions set foreach race by the players.

Then, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 checks with reference to thesatellite correspondence table whether or not the players owning the runOK jockeys have been logging in (Step M208).

Next, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 transmits with reference to thejockey database and the satellite correspondence table the informationof the run OK jockeys and the user login information to the satellitecabinet (B) 60 (Step M209).

The CPU 124 of the satellite PC (B) 62 receives the information of therun OK jockeys and the user login information (Step B210) and producesthe jockey selection image, based on the received data. In the jockeyselection image, the run OK jockeys, the user login information, etc.,for example, are displayed.

FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate examples of the jockey selection image. Inthe jockey selection images, an “Exclusive” tab for selecting an ownjockey, a “Kanto” tab for selecting CPU jockeys coming from Kanto, a“Kansai” tab for selecting a jockey coming from Kansai, and an “otherstables” tab for selecting jockeys of other users are provided.

FIG. 22 is an image of the “Exclusive” tab. In the image, jockeys ownedby a player owning a run horse are displayed. In the present embodiment,2 user jockeys at maximum are displayed.

FIG. 23 is an image of the “other stables” tab. In the image, userjockeys, who belong to other stables, for whom ride requests from otherusers are set OK, and who can run in this race, are displayed.

The CPU 124 of the satellite PC (B) 62 detects the operational input bythe player with the jockey selection button (Step B212). Thus, the ridejockey ID is decided (Step B213).

When the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (B) 62 detects the operationalinput by the player to the “run registration button” (Step B214), amedal number necessary to register the run is displayed to ask theplayer to pay the medals. The CPU 124 of the satellite PC (B) 62 detectsthe payment of the medals by the payer, based on a detection signal fromthe medal insertion detecting means (Step B214), and the runregistration is thus completed.

Here, the player of the satellite cabinet (B) 60 runs 2 horses he owns.For one of the horses, a jockey owned by the player logging in thesatellite cabinet (A) 60 (for whom the ride requests from other usersare set OK) is selected, and for the other horse, a jockey owned by aplayer who has logged in the satellite cabinet (C) 60 (for whom the riderequests from other uses even in absence are set OK) are selected.

When the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (B) 62 detects the medal payment bythe player for registering the run Step B215), the CPU 124 of thesatellite PC (B) 62 transmits the information of the run registered raceID, the run registered horses ID and the run registered jockeys ID tothe main cabinet 30 and the other satellites 60 (Step B216).

The CPU 124 of the main PC 32 receives the data from the satellitecabinet (B) 60 (Step M210), and prepares race run data (Step M211) andregisters the prepared race run data in the race run table (Step M212).

Thus, the race run registration processing is completed.

Medals may be paid as ride money to a player owning the user jockey theride request has been made for. The processing for paying this medalpayment will be explained with reference to Steps M213 to M215 and StepA203 of FIG. 15.

After the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 has executed the race run dataregistration processing in Step M212, the CPU 124 of main PC 32 producesa medal payment signal of paying a ride money to the user jockey theride request has been made for, referring to the jockey database, therace run table and the satellite correspondence table (Step M213). Here,5 medals are paid as the ride money. Five medals are paid to the playerowning the jockey for which the ride request has been made and loggingin the satellite cabinet (A) 60 and to the player who has logged in thesatellite cabinet (C) 60.

On the other hand, when the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 receivesthe data from the satellite cabinet (B) 60 (Step A201), the CPU 124 ofthe satellite (A)62 confirms that a ride request has been made for itsown jockey and displays a jockey ride request acceptance medal paymentimage of FIG. 24. In the image, “A ride request has been made fromanother player!” is displayed, a run race name, run horse names and theride requested jockey names are displayed, and 5 medals as the jockeyrequest acceptance money are displayed.

The CPU 124 of the main PC 32 transmits a medal payment signal to thelogging-in user (Step M214), and the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A)62confirms the operational input of the medal payment OK by the player andpays 5 medals as the jockey request acceptance money (Step A203).

Furthermore, the CPU 124 of main PC 32 confirms based on the satellitecorrespondence table that the user is an absent user and records 5medals as the absent user owning jockey request money in the in-absenceobtained medal column of the jockey in the jockey database (Step M215).

(Race Run Registration Processing: Combinations of CPU Horses with UserJockeys)

The race run registration processing for, when a CPU horse prepared bythe game system is registered, a jockey owned by a player riding the CPUhorse will be explained with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 14and 15.

This processing is different from the above-described processing for thecombination of a user horse with a user jockey in that, in thisprocessing, the game system selects a run CPU horse out of theregistered CPU horses, and the game system selects a ride jockey out ofregistered jockeys owned by players, but the rest processing is the sameas the above-described processing.

The game system selects a run CPU horse, and accordingly, Steps B202,B203, B204, B205, B207, B208 and B209 executed by the CPU 124 of thesatellite PC (B) 62 are not executed.

In Step M202, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 selects a run CPU horse foreach race, registers the run CPU horse in the race run table, turns onthe run race flag of the CPU horse in the horse database and registersthe race ID.

The game system selects a user jockey who rides the CPU horse, andaccordingly, Steps B210, B211, B212, B213, B214, B215 and B216 executedby the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (B)62 in FIGS. 14 and 15 are notexecuted.

The CPU 124 of the main PC 32 selects out of the user jockeys listed upin Steps M207 and M208 in accordance with a prescribed algorithm (thestep is not illustrated).

When the game system requests a user jockey of the player logging in thesatellite cabinet (A) 60 to ride the CPU horse, the CPU 124 of the mainPC 32 transmits the data of the race ID, the horse ID, the jockey ID,etc. to the satellite cabinet (A) 60 (the step is not illustrated).

The CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 receives the data from the maincabinet 30 (the step is not illustrated), displays the jockey riderequest OK and pays medals corresponding to the jockey requestacceptance money.

When the game system requests a user jockey owned by a player who doesnot log in to ride the CPU horse, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32registers medals corresponding to the absent user's own jockey riderequest in the jockey database, as in Step M215.

(Race Processing)

The race processing of the race game machine will be explained withreference to the flow chart of FIG. 16. Here in the explanation, therace processing follows the race run registration processing illustratedin FIGS. 14 and 15.

The CPU 124 of the main PC 32 starts the race run processing (StepM301).

First, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 decides horse IDs and the jockeyIDs which will run in the race, based on the horse database, the jockeydatabase and the race run table (Step M302).

Next, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 decides odds for the race (StepM302) and decides the race development (Step M304). The details of thisprocessing will not be explained.

Subsequently, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32, the CPU 124 of thesatellite PC (A) 62 and the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (B) 62 executethe race (Step M305, A301 and B301) and display the race image (StepM306, A302 and B302). The details of this processing will not beexplained.

Then, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 makes the processing for payingprize medals, based on a result of the race (Step M307). First, the CPU124 of the main PC 32 identifies the winning horse IDs, the card IDs ofthe users owning the winning horses, and the satellite IDs, based on thehorse database, the jockey database, the race run table and thesatellite correspondence table (Step M308).

Subsequently, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32 transmits data of paid medalnumbers as prize medals to the satellite cabinets 60 players are loggingin (Step M310), and decides in-absence obtained medal numbers as prizemedals for players who are not logging in (Step M310) and registers thein-absence obtained medal numbers in the jockey database at thein-absence obtained medal columns of the relevant jockeys (Step M311).

The CPU 124 of the satellite PC (A) 62 receives the paid medal numberdata transmitted from the main cabinet 30 (Step A303) and pays theobtained medals (Step A304). Similarly, the CPU 124 of the satellite (B)62 receives the paid medal number data from the main cabinet 30 (StepB303) and pays the obtained medals (Step B304).

(In-Absence Obtained Medals Pay Processing)

Next, the processing for paying the in-absence obtained medals will beexplained with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 16. Here in theexplanation, a player who has set the in-absence ride request OK logs inthe satellite cabinet (C) 60 after the race processing of FIG. 16.

When a player logs in the satellite cabinet (C) 60 with the IC card withwhich the player has set the in-absence ride request OK in FIG. 13, theCPU of the satellite PC (C) 62 starts the login processing (Step C301).

First, the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (C) 62 detects whether or not theIC card has been inserted (Step C302). When the CPU 124 of the satellitePC (C) 62 detects the insertion of the IC card, the CPU of the satellitePC (C) 62 transmits memory contents, such as the card ID, etc., readfrom the IC card, and its own satellite ID to the main PC 32 of thesatellite IC (Step C303).

The CPU 124 of the main PC 32 receives the memory contents, such as thesatellite ID, the card ID, etc., transmitted from the satellite cabinet(C) 60 (Step M312), stores the memory contents in the satellitecorrespondence table, corresponding to the satellite ID and the card IDand turns off the absence flag.

Next, the CPU 12 of the main PC 32 refers to the jockey database withthe card ID of the inserted IC card as the key and checks whether or notthe in-absence obtained medals are present (Step M313). When thein-absence obtained medals are present, the CPU 124 of the main PC 32transmits the medal number to the satellite cabinet (C)60.

When the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (C) 62 receives the in-absenceobtained medal number transmitted from the CPU 124 of the main PC 32(Step C304), the CPU 124 of the satellite PC (C) 62 confirms thepresence of the in-absence obtained medals and displays the image asexemplified in FIG. 25.

In the in-absence obtained medal paid image, “Ride at the requests ofother players!” is displayed and also run race names, run horse namesand ride requested jockey names are displayed for respective races, andthe paid medal numbers for the request acceptances and prize medalnumbers are displayed.

For example, in the first race, 5 medals for the request acceptance, and10 medals as the prize medals may be paid. In the first race, 5 medalsmay be paid as the request acceptance, but when lost in the race, thepayment of 5 medals may be demanded. Thus, it is possible that prizemedals are paid, but when lost, a player must pay medals.

The CPU 124 of the satellite PC (C) 62 confirms the operational input ofthe medal payment OK by the player and pays the medals obtained inabsence (Step C305).

Thus, the in-absence obtained medal payment processing is completed.

(Combination of a Horse and a Jockey)

In the game system according to the present embodiment, a horse (thefirst race object) and a jockey (the second race object) are combined.This combination of the horse and the jockey is registered for the runin the race. This combination has the following cases.

For a player's own run horse, combinations are (1) a his own racehorsewith his own jockey, (2) a his own run horse with a jockey selected bythe race game machine, (3) his own racehorse with a jockey owned byanother player participating in the present game, (4) his own racehorsewith a jockey owned by another player who is not participating thepresent game, etc.

For a player's own jockey, combinations are (1) his own jockey with aracehorse owned by another player, (2) his own jockey at the time whenthe player is not participating in the game with a racehorse owned byanother player, (3) his own jockey with a racehorse selected by the racegame machine 10, (4) his own jockey at the time when the player is notparticipating in the game with a racehorse selected by the race gamemachine 10, etc.

(Medal Distribution Between Horse and Jockey)

In the game system according to the present embodiment, the paymentcomputation for the bet game is made based on wins and loses. Based onkinds of the race (GI, GII, etc.) and places, a prize total (medalnumber) obtained by a combination of a horse and a jockey is decided.The prize total is distributed between the player owning the racehorseand the player owning the jockey, based on a preset ratio decidedbetween them.

As for a player's own run horse, for the combination (1) of his ownracehorse and his own jockey, all the prize medals are distributed tothe player owning the run horse.

For the combination (2) of his own run horse with a jockey selected bythe race game machine 10, a distribution of all the prize medals for therun horse, e.g., 60% of all the prize medals is given to the playerowning the run horse, and a distribution of all the prize medals for thejockey, e.g., 40% of all the prize medals is given to none of theplayers.

For the combination (3) of his own racehorse with a jockey owned byanother player participating in the present game, a distribution of allthe prize medals for the run horse, e.g., 60% of all the prize medals isgiven to the player owning the run horse, and a distribution of all theprize medals for the jockey, e.g., 40% of all the prize medals is givento the player owning the jockey.

For the combination (4) of his own racehorse with a jockey of anotherplayer who is not participating in the present game, a distribution ofall the prize medals for the run horse, e.g., 60% of all the prizemedals is given to the player owning the run horse, and a distributionof all the prize medals for the jockey, e.g., 40% of all the prizemedals is given to the player owning the jockey.

As for his own jockey, for the combination (1) of his own jockey with aracehorse owned by another player, a distribution of all the prizemedals for the jockey, e.g., 40% of all the prize medals is given to theplayer owning the jockey, and a distribution of all the prize medals forthe run horse, e.g., 60% of all the prize medals is given to the playerowning the run horse.

For the combination (2) of his own jockey at the time when the player isnot participating the game with a racehorse owned by another player, adistribution of all the prize medals for the jockey, e.g., 40% of allthe prize medals is given to the player owning the jockey, and adistribution of all the prize medals for the run horse, e.g., 60% of allthe prize medals is given to the player owning the run horse.

For the combination (3) of his own jockey with a racehorse selected bythe race game machine 10, a distribution of all the prize medals for thejockey, e.g., 40% of all the prize medals s given to the player owningthe jockey, and a distribution of all the prize medals, e.g., 60% of allthe prize medals is given to none of the players.

For the combination (4) of his own jockey at the time when the player isnot participating in the game with a racehorse selected by the race gamemachine 10, a distribution of all the prize medals for the jockey, e.g.,40% of all the prize medals is given to the player owning the jockey,and a distribution of all the prize medals for the run horse, e.g., 60%of all the prize medals is given none of the players.

The ratio of the distribution between a run horse and a jockey may bedifferent from the above. The distribution ratio may be decided based onparameters of a run horse and a jockey who are combined. Thedistribution ratio may be changed depending on kinds of the race.

(Change of Ability Parameters of Horse and Jockey)

When a horse runs in a race, the ability parameters of the horse arechanged, depending on a result of the race. The ability parameters ofthe horse are changed, depending on kinds (GI, GII, etc.) of the raceand places. The abilities change by the CPU 124 of the main PC 32rewriting the data in the columns of the horse data of the horsedatabase corresponding to a user horse.

In the game system according to the present embodiment, the abilityparameters of even a jockey riding a horse are changed, depending on aresult of a race. The CPU 124 of the main PC 32 rewrites the data in thejockey data column of the jockey database corresponding to a user jockeyto thereby change the ability parameters.

The change of the ability parameters of a jockey is the same not onlywhen a player's own jockey rides his own racehorse, but also when a riderequest OK is set, and a ride request of another player is accepted, andwhen a ride request of the game system for riding a CPU horse isaccepted.

When a ride request is made from another player, as described above,prescribed medals can be paid, and when the jockey wins the race, aprescribed ratio of all the prize medals can be given.

However, this permits a player to obtain medals without any risk as longas a ride request OK is set for a jockey, which unbalances the game.Then in the game system according to the present embodiment, the abilityparameters of a jockey are changeable, depending on a race result.

Accordingly, when a player who has set the in-absence ride request OKagain logs in, in one case, the player can obtain medals, depending on aresult of a race made in absence, and in the other case, the abilityparameters of a jockey are only lowered without obtaining any medal,which makes the game balanced.

Modified Embodiments

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodimentand can over other various modifications.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, racehorses which arerunning objects are displayed in images, but the running objects may beminiature horses.

In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to ahorse race game. However, the present invention is applicable not onlyto the horse race game in which the running objects are horses, but alsoto other race games and common games. For example, the present inventionis applicable to cycle races, in which the running objects are bicycles,boat races, in which the running objects are boats. The presentinvention is applicable to games in which virtual lives race.

In the above-described embodiments, the present invention is applied tothe medal game system using medals, but may be applied to game systemsusing currents which function as the current means and pay means or togame systems using virtual currencies other than medals.

In the above-described embodiment, in the race game combining horses andjockeys, the ride request is made for the jockey who is one party of acombination, but may be made for the horse who is one party of acombination. A player sets whether or not run requests for the horses heowns to be accepted when he logs in or off, and other players make runrequest for the horses.

In the above-described embodiment, the satellite correspondence table ofFIG. 11 is prepared to compare the satellite IDs to the card ID, butthis is not essential. For example, players may be identified not withthe satellite IDs but with the card IDs in exchanging data between themain device and the satellite devices.

In the above-described embodiment, the horse data, the jockey data, etc.are stored in the main device. However, the horse data, the jockey data,etc. may be stored in a server provided separate. For example, it ispossible that the control unit of the main device accesses the memory ofthe server to read the data of the jockey IDs with the flags of thein-absence request acceptance OK turned on and prepares a ride-readyjockeys list.

In the above-described embodiment, players are identified with the ICcards, but may be identified with information memory mediums other thanIC cards, magnetic cards, etc. Furthermore, without using cards, the IDsof players may be registered together with passwords. When a player logsin again, the player may be identified with the ID and the password.

In the above-described embodiment, all or part of the processing made bythe control unit of the main device may be made by the control unit ofthe server or the control units of the satellite devices.

The main device of the above-described embodiment may be replaced with aserver device, and the satellite devices may be replaced with clientdevices, such as home video game machines, PCs, PDAs, mobile phones,PHSs, etc., and, in place of medals, the game values may be information,data or others, such as parameters representing virtual currents points,or others usable in the game.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to a arcade video game machine of agame system wherein a bet race game in which, in a race, places ofracehorses which are running objects having the runs controlled by thecontrol unit are anticipated to bet medals, and allotments are paidbased on a race result, and a training game in which racehorses andjockeys for races are owned and trained, and are participated in racesto thereby obtain medals as horse owner prices corresponding to placesare made. The present invention is applicable also to domestic gamemachines and portable game machines which can realize the game system.

1. A game system in which information is exchangeable between a maindevice and a plurality of satellite devices, and a plurality of raceobjects each combining a first race object and a second race object areparticipated and compete in a race, the main device comprising: acontrol means which executes race game processing for, before a race,deciding a plurality of race objects each combining a first race objectand a second race object to compete places among a plurality of raceobjects, and pay processing for paying game values, based on a result ofthe race, the satellite devices each comprising: a control means whichexecutes processing for, based on an operational signal from anoperation means operated by a player, deciding a second race object theplayer permits to participate in the race, and transmitting to the maindevice the information of the decided second race object, the controlmeans of the main device executing: the race game processing forincluding a race object combining a second race object decided based onthe information of the second race object transmitted from the satellitedevice and a first race object selected from said a plurality of firstobjects among a plurality of race objects to compete for places amongsaid plurality of race objects; and the pay processing for, as a resultof the race, when said race object included among said plurality of raceobjects wins, paying a part of a game value to be paid to said raceobject for the win to the second race object of said race object.
 2. Agame system in which information is exchangeable between a main deviceand a plurality of satellite devices, the main device comprising: afirst race object database storing first identification information offirst race objects, and their corresponding ability parameters; a secondrace object database storing second identification information of secondrace objects, and their corresponding ability parameters; raceparticipation registration database for registering for each race acombination of the first identification information of a first raceobject to be participated in the race and the second identificationinformation of a second race object; a race participation registrationcontrol means for, before a race, selecting the first identificationinformation from the first race object database, selecting the secondidentification information from the second race object database todecide a combination of the first race object and the second raceobject, and registering the combination in the race participationregistration database; a race game control means for, each race,executing a race game processing for deciding places in the race anddevelopments of the race by using the ability parameters correspondingto the first identification information and the ability parameterscorresponding to the second identification information of thecombination registered in the race participation registration database;and pay processing control means for executing a pay processing forpaying a play value based on a race result, and the satellite deviceeach comprising a satellite control means for executing the processingfor, based on an operational signal from an operational means operatedby a player, deciding the second identification information of a secondrace object which is to be selected by the control of the raceparticipation registration control means to be registered in the raceparticipation registration database, and the processing for transmittinga permission information of permitting the second race object of thedecided second identification information to be registered in the raceparticipation registration database, and the second identificationinformation, to the main device, the main device further comprising asecond race object registration control means for registering thepermission information of permitting the second race object of thedecided second identification information to be registered in the raceparticipation registration database in the second race object database,corresponding to the second identification information transmitted fromthe satellite, the race participation registration control meansselecting the second identification information combined with the firstidentification information selected from the first race object database,among the second identification information having said permissioninformation registered in the second race object database, andregistering a plurality of combinations including said combination inthe race participation registration database, and the pay processingcontrol means, when said combination including the second identificationinformation registered having said permission information registeredwins as a result of the race game processing by the race game controlmeans, deciding a distribution play value of a play value to be paid tothe combination, said distribution being to be paid to the secondidentification information having said permission informationregistered.
 3. A game system in which information is exchangeablebetween a main device and a plurality of satellite devices, the maindevice comprising: a first race object database storing firstidentification information of first race objects, and theircorresponding ability parameters; a second race object database storingsecond identification information of second race objects, and theircorresponding ability parameters; race participation registrationdatabase for registering for each race a combination of the firstidentification information of a first race object to be participated inthe race and the second identification information of a second raceobject; a race participation registration control means for, before arace, selecting the first identification information from the first raceobject database, selecting the second identification information fromthe second race object database to decide a combination of the firstrace object and the second race object, and registering the combinationin the race participation registration database; a race game controlmeans for, each race, executing a race game processing for decidingplaces in the race and developments of the race by using the abilityparameters corresponding to the first identification information and theability parameters corresponding to the second identificationinformation of the combination registered in the race participationregistration database; and pay processing control means for executing apay processing for paying a play value based on a race result, and thesatellite device each comprising a satellite control means for executingthe processing for, based on an operational signal from an operationalmeans operated by a player, deciding the second identificationinformation of a second race object which is to be selected by thecontrol of the race participation registration control means to beregistered in the race participation registration database, and theprocessing for transmitting a permission information of permitting thesecond race object of the decided second identification information tobe registered in the race participation registration database, and thesecond identification information, to the main device, the main devicefurther comprising a second race object registration control means forregistering the permission information of permitting the second raceobject of the decided second identification information to be registeredin the race participation registration database in the second raceobject database, corresponding to the second identification informationtransmitted from the satellite, the race participation registrationcontrol means selecting the second identification information combinedwith the first identification information selected from the first raceobject database, among the second identification information having saidpermission information registered in the second race object database,and registering a plurality of combinations including said combinationin the race participation registration database, the pay processingcontrol means, when said combination including the second identificationinformation registered having said permission information registeredwins as a result of the race game processing by the race game controlmeans, deciding a distribution play value of a play value to be paid tothe combination, said distribution being to be paid to the secondidentification information having said permission informationregistered, and the second race object registration control meansregistering the distribution play value decided by the pay processingcontrol means in the second race object database, corresponding to thesecond identification information having said permission informationregistered.
 4. A game system in which information is exchangeablebetween a main device and a plurality of satellite devices, the maindevice comprising: a first race object database storing firstidentification information of first race objects, and theircorresponding ability parameters; a second race object database storingsecond identification information of second race objects, and theircorresponding ability parameters; race participation registrationdatabase for registering for each race a combination of the firstidentification information of a first race object to be participated inthe race and the second identification information of a second raceobject; a race participation registration control means for, before arace, selecting the first identification information from the first raceobject database, selecting the second identification information fromthe second race object database to decide a combination of the firstrace object and the second race object, and registering the combinationin the race participation registration database; a race game controlmeans for, each race, executing a race game processing for decidingplaces in the race and developments of the race by using the abilityparameters corresponding to the first identification information and theability parameters corresponding to the second identificationinformation of the combination registered in the race participationregistration database; and pay processing control means for executing apay processing for paying a play value based on a race result, and thesatellite device each comprising a satellite control means for executingthe processing for, based on an operational signal from an operationalmeans operated by a player, deciding the second identificationinformation of a second race object which is to be selected by thecontrol of the race participation registration control means to beregistered in the race participation registration database, and theprocessing for transmitting a permission information of permitting thesecond race object of the decided second identification information tobe registered in the race participation registration database, and thesecond identification information, to the main device, the main devicefurther comprising a second race object registration control means forregistering the permission information of permitting the second raceobject of the decided second identification information to be registeredin the race participation registration database in the second raceobject database, corresponding to the second identification informationtransmitted from the satellite, the race participation registrationcontrol means selecting the second identification information combinedwith the first identification information selected from the first raceobject database, among the second identification information having saidpermission information registered in the second race object database,and registering a plurality of combinations including said combinationin the race participation registration database, the pay processingcontrol means further executing the processing for, when saidcombination including the second identification information registeredhaving said permission information registered wins as a result of therace game processing by the race game control means, deciding adistribution play value of a play value to be paid to the combination,said distribution play value being to be paid to the secondidentification information having said permission informationregistered, and the processing for paying the decided distribution playvalue to the second race object of the second identification informationhaving said permission information registered.
 5. A game system in whichinformation is exchangeable between a main device and a plurality ofsatellite devices, the main device comprising: a first race objectdatabase storing first identification information of first race objects,and their corresponding ability parameters; a second race objectdatabase storing second identification information of second raceobjects, and their corresponding ability parameters; race participationregistration database for registering for each race a combination of thefirst identification information of a first race object to beparticipated in the race and the second identification information of asecond race object; a race participation registration control means for,before a race, selecting the first identification information from thefirst race object database, selecting the second identificationinformation from the second race object database to decide a combinationof the first race object and the second race object, and registering thecombination in the race participation registration database; a race gamecontrol means for, each race, executing a race game processing fordeciding places in the race and developments of the race by using theability parameters corresponding to the first identification informationand the ability parameters corresponding to the second identificationinformation of the combination registered in the race participationregistration database; and pay processing control means for executing apay processing for paying a play value based on a race result, and thesatellite device each comprising a satellite control means for executingthe processing for, based on an operational signal from an operationalmeans operated by a player, deciding the second identificationinformation of a second race object which is to be selected by thecontrol of the race participation registration control means to beregistered in the race participation registration database, and theprocessing for transmitting a permission information of permitting thesecond race object of the decided second identification information tobe registered in the race participation registration database, and thesecond identification information, to the main device, the main devicefurther comprising a second race object registration control means forregistering the permission information of permitting the second raceobject of the decided second identification information to be registeredin the race participation registration database in the second raceobject database, corresponding to the second identification informationtransmitted from the satellite, the satellite device further executingthe processing for, based on an operational signal from an operationmeans operated by a player, deciding first identification information ofa first race object to be selected by the control of the raceparticipation registration control means and registered in the raceparticipation registration database, the processing for receiving fromthe main device the second identification information of a plurality ofsecond race objects including the second race object having thepermission information, the second race objects being registered in thesecond race object database, the processing for deciding secondidentification information of a second race object to be combined withthe first race object of said decided first identification informationamong the received second identification information of the plurality ofsecond race objects, and the processing for transmitting to the maindevice the combination of the first identification information and thesecond identification information, which has been decided by suchprocessing, and the registration request of the combination in the raceparticipation registration database, the race participation registrationcontrol means selecting the combination of the first identificationinformation and the second identification information transmitted fromthe satellite control means, and registering a plurality of combinationsincluding said combination in the race participation registrationdatabase, the pay processing control means further executing theprocessing for, when the combination including the second identificationinformation registered having said permission information registeredwins as a result of the race game processing by the race game controlmeans, deciding a first distribution play value and a seconddistribution play value of a play value to be paid to the combination,said first distribution play value being to be paid to the first raceobject, said second distribution play value being to be paid to thesecond identification information having said permission informationregistered, and the processing for paying the decided first distributionplay value to the first race object of the first identificationinformation for which said the registration request has been made.
 6. Agame system characterized in that information can be exchanged between amain device and a plurality of satellite devices, the main devicecomprising: a first race object database storing first identificationinformation of a first race object, corresponding to ability parameters;a second race object database storing second identification informationof a second race object, corresponding to ability parameters; raceparticipation registration database for registering for each race acombination of the first identification information of a first raceobject to be participated in the race and the second identificationinformation of a second race object; a race participation registrationcontrol means for, before a race, selecting the first identificationinformation from the first race object database, selecting the secondidentification information from the second race object database todecide a combination of the first race object and the second race objectand registering the combination in the race participation registrationdatabase; a race game control means for, each race, making race gameprocessing by deciding a place in the race and developments of the raceby using the ability parameters corresponding to the firstidentification information and the ability parameters corresponding tothe second identification information, of the combination registered inthe race participation registration database; and pay processing controlmeans for paying a play value, based on a race result, and the satellitedevice each comprising a satellite control means for, based on anoperational signal from an operational means operated by a player.executing the processing for deciding the second identificationinformation of a second race object which is to be selected by thecontrol of the race participation registration control means to beregistered in the race participation registration database, and theprocessing for transmitting a permission information of permitting thesecond race object of the decided second identification information tobe registered in the race participation registration database, and thesecond identification information, the main device further comprising: asecond race object registration control means for registering thepermission information of permitting the second race object of thedecided second identification information to be registered in the raceparticipation registration database in the second race object database,corresponding to the second identification information transmitted fromthe satellite, the satellite device further executing the processingfor, based on an operational signal from an operation means operated bya player, deciding first identification information of a first raceobject to be selected by the control of the race participationregistration control means and registered in the race participationregistration database, the processing for receiving from the main devicethe second identification information of a plurality of second raceobjects including the second race object registered having thepermission information registered, the processing for deciding secondidentification information of a second race object to be combined withthe first race object of said decided first identification informationfrom the received second identification information of a plurality ofsecond race objects, and the processing for transmitting to the maindevice the combination of the first identification information and thesecond identification information, which has been decided by suchprocessing, and commanding the registration of the combination in therace participation registration database, the race participationregistration control means selecting the first identificationinformation and the second identification information transmitted fromthe satellite control means and registering a plurality of combinationsincluding said combination in the race participation registrationdatabase, the pay processing control means executing the processing for,when the combination including the second identification informationhaving the permission information registered wins as a result of racegame processing by the race game control means, deciding a firstdistribution game value of a game value to be paid to the combination,which (distribution) is to be paid to be the first race object and asecond distribution game value of said game value to be paid to thesecond identification information, and the processing for paying thedecided first distribution game value to the first game object of thefirst identification information for which said registration command hasbeen made, the second race object registration control means registeringthe second distribution play value decided by the pay processing controlmeans in the second race object database, corresponding to the secondidentification information having said permission informationregistered.
 7. A game system characterized in that information can beexchanged between a main device and a plurality of satellite devices,the main device comprising: a first race object database storing firstidentification information of a first race object, corresponding toability parameters; a second race object database storing secondidentification information of a second race object, corresponding toability parameters; race participation registration database forregistering for each race a combination of the first identificationinformation of a first race object to be participated in the race andthe second identification information of a second race object; a raceparticipation registration control means for, before a race, selectingthe first identification information from the first race objectdatabase, selecting the second identification information from thesecond race object database to decide a combination of the first raceobject and the second race object and registering the combination in therace participation registration database; a race game control means for,each race, making race game processing by deciding a place in the raceand developments of the race by using the ability parameterscorresponding to the first identification information and the abilityparameters corresponding to the second identification information, ofthe combination registered in the race participation registrationdatabase; and pay processing control means for paying a play value,based on a race result, and the satellite device each comprising asatellite control means for, based on an operational signal from anoperational means operated by a player. executing the processing fordeciding the second identification information of a second race objectwhich is to be selected by the control of the race participationregistration control means to be registered in the race participationregistration database, and the processing for transmitting a permissioninformation of permitting the second race object of the decided secondidentification information to be registered in the race participationregistration database, and the second identification information, themain device further comprising: a second race object registrationcontrol means for registering the permission information of permittingthe second race object of the decided second identification informationto be registered in the race participation registration database in thesecond race object database, corresponding to the second identificationinformation transmitted from the satellite, the satellite device furtherexecuting the processing for, based on an operational signal from anoperation means operated by a player, deciding first identificationinformation of a first race object to be selected by the control of therace participation registration control means and registered in the raceparticipation registration database, the processing for receiving fromthe main device the second identification information of a plurality ofsecond race objects including the second race object registered havingthe permission information registered, the processing for decidingsecond identification information of a second race object to be combinedwith the first race object of said decided first identificationinformation from the received second identification information of aplurality of second race objects, and the processing for transmitting tothe main device the combination of the first identification informationand the second identification information, which has been decided bysuch processing, and commanding the registration of the combination inthe race participation registration database, the race participationregistration control means selecting the first identificationinformation and the second identification information transmitted fromthe satellite control means and registering a plurality of combinationsincluding said combination in the race participation registrationdatabase, the pay processing control means executing the processing for,when the combination including the second identification informationhaving the permission information registered wins as a result of racegame processing by the race game control means, deciding a firstdistribution game value of a game value to be paid to the combination,which (distribution) is to be paid to be the first race object and asecond distribution game value of said game value to be paid to thesecond identification information, the processing for paying the decidedfirst distribution game value to the first game object of the firstidentification information for which said registration command has beenmade, and the processing for paying the decided second distribution gamevalue to the second game object of the second identification informationhaving said permission information registered.
 8. The game systemaccording to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the satellite controlmeans executes the processing for, based on an operational signal fromthe operation means operated by a player, deciding second identificationinformation of the second race object to be selected by the control ofthe race participation registration control means to be registered inthe race participation registration database, and the processing fortransmitting an in-absence permission information and the secondidentification information to the main device, said in-absencepermission information indicating that the second race object of thesecond identification information decided by the player may beregistered in the race participation registration database even in theabsence of the player, the second race object registration control meansregistering the in-absence permission information in the second raceobject database, corresponding to the second identification informationtransmitted from the satellite device.
 9. The game system according toclaim 8, wherein the main device further executes the processing fordetecting whether or not the player who has transmitted the in-absencepermission information is logging in, when it is detected that theplayer is logging in, the pay processing control means executes theprocessing for paying a decided distribution play value to the secondrace object of the second identification information having thein-absence permission information registered, and when it is detectedthat the payer is not logging in, the second race object registrationcontrol means registers the distribution play value decided by the payprocessing control means in the second race object database,corresponding to the second identification information having thein-absence permission information registered.
 10. The game systemaccording to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein when a combinationincluding second identification information including the permissioninformation wins as a result of the race game processing by the racegame control means, the main device renews the ability parameterscorresponding to the second identification information of the secondrace object database to improved values, and when the combinationincluding the second identification information including the permissioninformation does not win as a result of the race game processing by therace game control means, the main device renews the ability parameterscorresponding to the second identification information of the secondrace object database to lowered values.
 11. The game system according toany one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the satellite control means transmitsto the main device, permission condition information of conditions forthe permission together with the second identification information andthe permission information, which permits the registration in the raceparticipation database, and the race participation registration controlmeans selects, when second identification information to be combinedwith first identification information selected from the first raceobject database, selects the second identification information, based onthe permission condition information.
 12. A game system in whichinformation is exchanged between a server device and a plurality ofclient devices via a network, and a race game is made among a pluralityof combinations of a first race object and a second race object, theserver device comprises a control means which executes the race gameprocessing for, before a race, deciding a plurality of combinations eachof the first race object and the second race object, and racing forplaces, and the pay processing for paying play values, based on a resultof the race, the client device each comprising a control means whichexecute the processing for, based on an operation signal from anoperation means operated by an operator, deciding a second race objectwhich the operator permits to participate in the race and transmittingto the server device information of the decided second race object, thecontrol means of the server device executes the race game processing forracing a combination of a second race object decided based on theinformation of the second race object transmitted from the client deviceand a first race object selected from a plurality of first race objectsamong a plurality of combinations for places, and the pay processing forpaying, when said combination raced among said a plurality of thecombinations wins as a result of the race, paying a part of a play valueto be paid for the win to the second race object.
 13. A game system inwhich information is exchangeable between a server device and aplurality of client devices, the server device comprising: a first raceobject database storing first identification information of first raceobjects, and their corresponding ability parameters; a second raceobject database storing second identification information of second raceobjects, and their corresponding ability parameters; race participationregistration database for registering for each race a combination of thefirst identification information of a first race object to beparticipated in the race and the second identification information of asecond race object; a race participation registration control means for,before a race, selecting the first identification information from thefirst race object database, selecting the second identificationinformation from the second race object database to decide a combinationof the first race object and the second race object, and registering thecombination in the race participation registration database; a race gamecontrol means for, each race, executing a race game processing fordeciding places in the race and developments of the race by using theability parameters corresponding to the first identification informationand the ability parameters corresponding to the second identificationinformation of the combination registered in the race participationregistration database; and pay processing control means for executing apay processing for paying a play value based on a race result, and theclient device each comprising a satellite control means for executingthe processing for, based on an operational signal from an operationalmeans operated by a player, deciding the second identificationinformation of a second race object which is to be selected by thecontrol of the race participation registration control means to beregistered in the race participation registration database, and theprocessing for transmitting a permission information of permitting thesecond race object of the decided second identification information tobe registered in the race participation registration database, and thesecond identification information, to the server device, the serverdevice further comprising a second race object registration controlmeans for registering the permission information of permitting thesecond race object of the decided second identification information tobe registered in the race participation registration database in thesecond race object database, corresponding to the second identificationinformation transmitted from the satellite, the race participationregistration control means selecting the second identificationinformation combined with the first identification information selectedfrom the first race object database, among the second identificationinformation having said permission information registered in the secondrace object database, and registering a plurality of combinationsincluding said combination in the race participation registrationdatabase, and the pay processing control means, when said combinationincluding the second identification information registered having saidpermission information registered wins as a result of the race gameprocessing by the race game control means, deciding a distribution playvalue of a play value to be paid to the combination, said distributionbeing to be paid to the second identification information having saidpermission information registered.